PETER TOPSIDE UNDERGOES A PRETERNATURAL EVOLUTION

13/4/2021

PETER TOPSIDE is an accomplished chef and baker, movie fanatic, a proud father and husband, and a Clinical Exercise Physiologist by trade. His books are the culmination of his own personal, life-changing journey of triumphing over the PTSD of his traumatic upbringing. He hopes to inspire readers to bravely fight their own battles with anxiety and depression.

WEBSITE LINKS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/topsidepeter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ptopside
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ptopside/
Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19743489.Peter_Topside?from_search=true&from_srp=true

Could you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?

My name is Peter Topside and I am a newer horror author. I wrote a trilogy of books called Preternatural, of which I am in the process of publishing the second story. This has been a lifelong goal of mine. I am also a proud father and husband, self-trained baker and chef, and Clinical Exercise Physiologist by trade.

Which one of your characters would you least like to meet in real life?

I would like to meet Alexandra Hughes. She embodies so many amazing qualities that would be just a great delight to see and experience in-person.

Other than the horror genre, what else has been a major influence on your writing?

My upbringing is a huge influence on my writing; it was the only creative outlet I had growing up. It was a perfect storm to make this goal to write a book series that I was proud of and wanted to share with the world.

The term horror, especially when applied to fiction always carries such heavy connotations. What’s your feeling on the term “horror” and what do you think we can do to break past these assumptions?

Horror tends to get stereotyped with monsters, demons, ghosts, zombies and such. But aside from things like that, there are plenty of realistic things to be scared of. This can be abuse, famine, traumas of various circumstances, disease, or natural disasters. Horror can be associated with a lot of things. I personally don’t mind the term, but feel there should be a more collective cultural understanding of it.

A lot of good horror movements have arisen as a direct result of the socio/political climate, considering the current state of the world where do you see horror going in the next few years?

I think that the world we currently live in is such a rich environment for individuals to use in order to develop their own stories and characters. I see horror stories becoming more grounded and realistic. And with all the stimulus and desensitization, the writing will also become more intense to elicit a certain level of reaction, too.

Given the dark, violent and at times grotesque nature of the horror genre why do you think so many people enjoy reading it?

Storytelling in general allows people to step outside of themselves to experience a new world. Sometimes those worlds can be fun adventures with jubilant characters, others can be more dramatic and serious, and then there are those times they can be scary, dark and violent. People can be in different moods on a given day and want to experience any of those genres, horror being no exception. However, with the current climate of everything from politics, the COVID pandemic, riots and protests, and other real world issues, I think horror has evolved. It had to. Because nowadays, a day without some type of horror is rare. So the stimulus of horror-based media and writing had to roll with the times.

What, if anything, is currently missing from the horror genre?

I think there are a lot of talented, diverse writers, filmmakers, and other contributors to the genre. I feel that sometimes some of those unique ideas can be lost, as people tend to revert back to the common horror staples.

What new and upcoming authors do you think we should take notice off?

Theresa Van Spankeren, Greig Beck, P. Djeli Clark, Carlton Mellick III, and Yoel Bereket are the best newer authors that I’ve seen over the past few months.

Are there any reviews of your work, positive or negative that have stayed with you?

I’ve had mostly positive reviews, but a few negatives, which is always expected. Some of the negative feedback is from people who maybe only read a few chapters and then gave it a lower review.

What aspects of writing to do you find the most difficult?

Finding inspiration. If you aren’t deeply committed to your characters, knowing their feelings, reactions, pain, and reasoning, then the story isn’t worth writing.

Is there one subject you would never write about as an author?

I would never write about a topic that I didn’t feel fully informed of.

Writing is not a static process, how have you developed as a writer over the years?

I spent less time trying to cram every idea into a single book. I developed my skills on how to tell a better, a more clear story, through however many books are needed.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received with regards to your writing?

To be proud of the writing and never be ashamed of any ideas in it.

Which of your characters is your favourite?

I enjoy all of them equally. They’re all different, imperfect, strong in their own individual ways, and create a really special environment for the Preternatural story to unfold in.

Which of your books best represents you?

Preternatural #1. It took me the longest to write, almost 25 years, and many of its themes and characters hold a deeply personal meaning for me.

Do you have a favorite line or passage from your work, and would you like to share it with us?

“I understand your pain. Your anger. All of it. And you were right. We weren’t much different from each other. But no longer. Things need to change. I need to change. And this town no longer needs you” – Christian Reed from Preternatural (Book 1)

Can you tell us about your last book, and can you tell us about what you are working on next?

My last book was the original Preternatural story. Its sequel, Preternatural: Evolution is available for preorder and release April 13, 2021. I’ve completed a rough draft of the third book, Preternatural: Reckoning.

If you could erase one horror cliché what would be your choice?

God is not present when evil is about.

What was the last great book you read, and what was the last book that disappointed you?

I fell in love with HG Wells last year. His stories like Island of Dr. Moreau, The Invisible Man, First Men in the Moon were all wonderful tales.

I won’t say that any books disappointed me. I just think some of the stories that I’ve read weren’t my preference, whether the writing styles or plots. One of my goals is to fully support my fellow authors.

What's the one question you wish you would get asked but never do? And what would be the answer?

What’s your favorite thing to bake? My answer is that I’m a known cookie fiend!

Preternatural Evolution: A Psychological Horror Book by Peter Topside

The exciting sequel to the original sleeper hit--Preternatural!

It’s been fifteen years since the vampire Blackheart was defeated, leaving Meadowsville desolate and broken.

Alexandra has returned to take over her father’s church but is struggling to find her true purpose. Torn by her shaky loyalty to Christian Reed—the unstable town antihero who vanquished Blackheart years ago—and increasing efforts at seduction and manipulation from Blackheart himself, she is forced to face all her deepest traumas and insecurities.

As the town’s only hope, Alexandra must gather her strength and transcend her terror in order to battle these adversities, or risk losing the very soul of Meadowsville.

“Welcome back . . .”